New law aims to boost electric vehicle charging stations

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ A new state law is designed to help increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in Maine.

The bill was signed by Republican Gov. Paul LePage last week. It will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature finishes its session.

Senate Democrats say there are only 30 electric vehicle charge stations across Maine at places like Thomas College and Mt. Abram Ski Mountain. Democratic Sen. Rebecca Millett, who sponsored the bill, says that the lack of stations limits the travel of those who have plug-in electric vehicles.

The measure attempts to provide an incentive to other places to implement electric charging stations statewide by allowing the stations to charge for kilowatt usage, among other things.